2018 Halcon Vineyards Syrah Alturas
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The 2018 Syrah Alturas captures all the elements that make these wines so compelling. Aromatic, expansive and beautifully layered, the 2018 possesses remarkable depth and yet remains light on its feet. There is plenty of intensity but also tons of energy to balance things out. Blueberry, licorice, menthol, cloves and tobacco build into the heady finish.
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Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Syrah Alturas offers a more vivid, Côte-Rôtie-like style and has beautiful notes of black raspberries, spring flowers, peppered meat, and violets. More sappy underbrush and even a kiss of bacon fat emerge with time in the glass. and it's medium-bodied, has a silky, elegant texture, wonderful mid-palate depth, and enough tannins to warrant a year or three of bottle age. Beautifully done, this complex, elegant Syrah is going to evolve for 10-15 years or more.
96% Syrah, 4% Viognier. No new oak. 50% whole cluster. Deep crimson. Slightly less distinctive than their other wines. Sweet and round. Less obviously fresh than their other reds. But there is very definite structure. Quite long. (JR)
A barrel sample, the 2018 Syrah Alturas was made with 50% whole cluster and 4% Viognier and is aging without new oak. The nose gives cocoa powder, black berries, black cherries and blue fruits with lots of meaty/peppery notions, dried herbs and a minerally hint. Medium to full-bodied, it has a good core of savory fruits, with firm, grainy tannins and good freshness, finishing savory. 330 cases are expected to be made.